Pixel based gobo record control format

Abstract

A special record format used for commanding light pattern shapes and addressable light pattern shape generator. The command format includes a first part which commands a specified gobo and second parts which command the characteristics of that hobo. The gobo is formed by making a default gobo based on the type and modifying that default gobo to fit the characteristics.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming a shaped light beam, comprising
 operating using a first digital file indicative of a first gobo to shape a light beam; 
 receiving a command to operate using a second gobo; 
 responsive to receiving said command creating a second digital file indicative of said second gobo; and 
 after creating said second digital file, fading between said first digital file and said second digital file. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said first digital file controls a digital mirror device to shape said light beam according to said digital file. 
     
     
       3. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said fading comprises fading out the first gobo, and fading in the second gobo. 
     
     
       4. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said fading comprises using an iris function to fade out said first gobo. 
     
     
       5. A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising copying said first digital file indicative of the first gobo, and fading between said copy of said first digital file and said second digital file. 
     
     
       6. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said creating said second digital file comprises creating the digital file indicative of the gobo in an arithmetic matrix format. 
     
     
       7. A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said creating comprises using a matrix arithmetic operation to change contents of the digital file. 
     
     
       8. A method as in  claim 7 , wherein said change contents comprises carrying out an iris function by defining a circular area, and defining as black all portions outside said circular area. 
     
     
       9. A method as in  claim 8 , wherein said iris function changes a size of said circular area to simulate zooming an iris in or out. 
     
     
       10. A lighting apparatus, comprising
 a lighting source; 
 a light shaping part, shaping light from said lighting source according to an applied file; 
 a controller, controlling said light shaping part, including providing a first digital file indicative of a first gobo to shape a light beam at a first time, to create a second digital file indicative of a second gobo at a second time, and after creating said second digital file, fading between said first digital file and said second digital file to shape the light based on said fading, and then to shape the light based on said second digital file. 
 
     
     
       11. A lighting apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein said light shaping part is a digital mirror device that shapes said light beam. 
     
     
       12. A lighting apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein said controller controls fading out the first gobo, and fading in the second gobo. 
     
     
       13. A lighting apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein said controller carries out said fading using an iris function to fade out said first gobo. 
     
     
       14. A lighting apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein said controller copies said first digital file indicative of the first gobo, creates said second digital file, and fades between said copy of said first digital file and said second digital file. 
     
     
       15. A lighting apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein said creating said second digital file comprises creating the digital file indicative of the gobo in an arithmetic matrix format and modifying the matrix. 
     
     
       16. A method of forming a shaped light beam, comprising
 operating using a first digital file indicative of a first gobo to shape a light beam; 
 receiving a command to operate using a second gobo; 
 modifying the shaped light beam by fading said first digital file using an iris effect which draws as black everything outside of the circle, and progressively reduces the size of said circle to reduce said first digital file, set modifying also progressively increasing a display of said second digital file. 
 
     
     
       17. A method as in  claim 16 , wherein said first digital file controls a digital mirror device to shape said light beam according to said digital file. 
     
     
       18. A method as in  claim 16 , wherein said creating said second digital file comprises creating the digital file indicative of the gobo in an arithmetic matrix format. 
     
     
       19. A method as in  claim 18 , wherein said creating comprises using a matrix arithmetic operation to change contents of the digital file. 
     
     
       20. A method as in  claim 16 , wherein said first gobo has a different brightness than said second gobo. 
     
     
       21. A method of forming a shaped light beam, comprising
 using a first digital file indicative of a first gobo to create a first part of a shaped light beam, having a first shape, at a first brightness; 
 using a second digital file indicative of a second gobo to create a second part of the shaped light beam having a second shape at a second brightness different than the first brightness, where an output of said shaped light beam includes, at the same time, both said first shape at said first brightness and said second shape at said second brightness.